Before even proceeding with this article, we had to begin by answering the big question: are there centipedes in Virginia to start with?
Well, that is one mystery that you will be given answers to as you read further. One thing is certain, though: whether or not there are centipedes in Virginia, these creatures in every part of the world are quite beneficial to humans.
Did you also think there were poisonous centipedes in Virginia? Well, so did I. Now follow me as I aim to provide answers to all these questions surrounding the state of Virginia.
Are There Centipedes In Virginia?
Are there centipedes in Virginia? Well, of course, there are. There are 4 common species of centipedes in Virginia, which we will soon be discussing below as you keep reading.
The centipedes in Virginia and in every other part of the world are hard to detect as they do not cause any home wrecks or damages.
In addition to these bugs not causing damage, they are also nocturnal pests; hence, it will be quite difficult to detect them since they will mostly come out at night.
They usually prefer humid places and will likely be found in these places most of the time.
Read also: Virginia Wasps And Hornets: 4 Most Common Species
Are there Poisonous Centipedes in Virginia?
Are there poisonous centipedes in Virginia? Well, even though the centipedes in Virginia are venomous, these poisons have no effect on humans.
The house centipedes in Virginia are not aggressive and will try their best to avoid contact with humans or their pets.
Even though we have now agreed that there are no poisonous centipedes in Virginia, you should know that threatening these pests may lead them to defend themselves by biting you.
It should also be noted that their bites can be quite painful, especially when dealing with bigger centipedes. Poisonous centipedes in Virginia may not exist, but note that their bite could result in the following:
- Swelling
- Redness of bite spot
- Allergic reactions
- Stinging sensation
What are the Common Centipedes in Virginia?
1. The House Centipedes:
The house centipedes in Virginia may have a creepy appearance, but they can be beneficial to humans. Below are the bodily features of the house centipedes in Virginia:
- They have yellowish-grey body colorations.
- They have 3 racing stripes on their backs.
- Their legs are thick near their bodies, but narrow towards the end.
- They have long antennas. They use this to sense prey.
- They have two back antennas that help them fool their predators. This antenna also functions as the front antenna.
We previously mentioned that these pests are more useful than pesky in the home, and this is because of their beneficial feeding diet.
They usually feed on the following insects:
- Grasshoppers
- Houseflies, etc.
Getting rid of these house pests is what makes them beneficial pests. You will also usually find them in the basements, where it is damp and secluded.
Outdoors, you will find them in the following places:
- Rocky piles
- Compost pile
- Woodpiles
- Leaf litter
- Basically, anywhere pests may be lurking, etc.
2. The Brown Centipede:
The brown centipede is another popular Virginia centipede, even though it takes its nocturnality very seriously. Below are possible ways to identify this centipede species:
- Brown centipedes can grow through lengths of 18 mm to 30 mm.
- These centipedes are usually dark reddish-brown.
- They have 2 long antennae and 2 decoy antennae to confuse their prey.
- They have oversized fangs (poisonous-containing) close to their heads; this makes their heads easily differentiated from other body parts.
- When fully grown, their legs number 15 pairs.
The brown centipede in Virginia is known to feed on the following:
- Worms
- Spiders
- Slugs
- Flies, etc.
Just like the house centipedes, these types of centipedes in Virginia are also beneficial to humans, as they do not just get rid of pests in the home, but in the garden as well.
Do you know that these centipedes are also referred to as “Gardener’s Friend”? In the conclusion below, you will find the reason why!
3. The Soil Centipede:
From their names, it is quite obvious that this centipede species spends most of its time underground. Below are the distinguishing features of the soil centipede:
- They have slender bodies.
- They have no eyes.
- Their body coloration is reddish brown.
- Their body size is quite notable:
- Smaller centipedes can reach lengths of 1.9 cm
- Large soil centipedes measure x10 of the initial length (1.9 cm x 10 = 19 cm)
So it will appear that all the aforementioned centipedes are quite useful to humans, and the soil centipede has chosen to be on this list too.
Below are some possible benefits of the soil centipedes:
- They aerate the soil with their burrowing.
- Their burrowing also allows passage of water and nutrients through the soil to the roots of plants.
- They digest trapped nutrients in wastes. Releasing these nutrients is beneficial to the soil as well.
Although they are beneficial, their monstrous sizes make it a good thing that they do not make it to the home. sighs!
4. The Eastern Red Centipede:
The last Virginia centipede on our list is the Eastern red centipede. This centipede is identifiable by the following features:
- Of course, from its name, it is obvious that this centipede has a red-bodied coloration.
- They have light-colored legs.
- They reach lengths of 6.5 cm.
Although the eastern red centipede is not poisonous, it can still deliver painful bites. And like we previously mentioned, the bigger the centipede, the more painful the bite.
In addition to its diet of insects, earthworms, and spiders, this centipede will also feed on smaller centipedes in Virginia.
You will often find these centipedes in the following places:
- Stones
- Flowerpots
- Bark
- Wood, etc.
They also make good hunters due to their swift and spry movements.
Read also: Black Widow Spider in Virginia: Identification, Behavior & Control
How To Prevent Centipedes In Virginia
- Seal cracks and crevices.
- Purchase door sweeps from Amazon and place them underneath your doors.
- Seal utility spaces that may allow centipedes access to your homes.
- Set a barrier between the foundation of your building and the soil.
- Get rid of woodpiles on your property.
- Install gutters to channel water away from the exterior walls of your structure.
- Purchase dehumidifiers from Amazon to reduce the moisture spots in your home.
- Fix plumbing leakages in your home.
Conclusion
We promised an answer to a question above and if you did read through this interesting article about the centipedes in Virginia, then you do know what the question is.
They are called “gardener’s friends” because they do not eat the plants but rather eat the pests that may want to consume these plants.
Do you know what the question was? Why not go back and carefully read through this informative article? Do well to drop your questions, and comments via the comment section provided below!
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